Significance of Self-luminous
Self-luminous is a term in various Indian philosophical traditions, denoting the innate characteristic of being self-illuminating or radiant without reliance on external sources for validation or illumination. In Tibetan Buddhism and Vedanta, it describes the essence of cognition and the nature of the Self as inherently clear and evident. Vaishnavism and Shaivism attribute this quality to the Supreme Soul and divine entities, symbolizing their purity and divine knowledge. Overall, Self-luminous signifies intrinsic light and understanding within spiritual contexts.
Synonyms: Self-illuminating, Glowing, Radiant, Self-shining
In Dutch: Zelf-lichtgevend; In Finnish: Itsestään valaiseva; In Spanish: Autoluminoso; In Portugese: Autoluminoso; In German: Selbstleuchtend; In Finnish: Itsensä valoisa; In French: Auto-lumineux; In Swedish: Självlysande; In Dutch: Zelflichtend; In Malay: Bercahaya sendiri; In Italian: Auto-luminoso; In Polish: Samoświecący
The below excerpts are indicatory and do represent direct quotations or translations. It is your responsibility to fact check each reference.
Buddhist concept of 'Self-luminous'
Self-luminous in Buddhism signifies an intrinsic clarity and insight, allowing enlightened beings and deities to perceive and emit their own light, symbolizing purity, self-sufficiency in cognition, and independence from external influences for validation.
From: Tattvasangraha [with commentary]
(1) Referring to the omniscient person’s ability to perceive himself independently of external stimuli.[1] (2) Describes the nature of cognition, particularly the cognition of pleasure and related feelings, which does not require external factors to illuminate or validate its presence.[2] (3) A characteristic of cognition that implies it is evident or clear by its own nature, akin to light, which does not require another source for its illumination.[3] (4) A property attributed to entities that allow them to prove themselves through their own illumination, which negation fails to possess.[4]
From: Mahavastu (great story)
(1) A characteristic of the Trayastrimsha devas, suggesting they emit their own light.[5] (2) A quality of the Shuddhavasa devas indicating that they emit their own light, symbolizing purity and enlightenment.[6] (3) A defining trait of the Caturmaharajika devas, indicating they emit their own light and cast no shadows.[7]
Hindu concept of 'Self-luminous'
In Hinduism, "Self-luminous" signifies Brahman's inherent radiance and illuminating nature, representing the source of knowledge and truth, existing independently of external light and validation, embodying eternal consciousness and clarity.
From: Taittiriya Upanishad Bhashya Vartika
(1) The text mentions the self-luminous consciousness itself, which establishes avidya, and also refers to the self-luminous Witness-consciousness, which reveals avidya.[8] (2) This describes Brahman-bliss, meaning it does not require any external means for knowing it due to its inherent nature.[9] (3) Self-luminous refers to Brahman being inherently radiant and illuminating, indicating its nature as a source of knowledge and truth.[10] (4) Describes the Witness-self's quality of being directly known and self-illuminating, not reliant on external validation.[11] (5) Referring to consciousness as having its own inherent light and clarity, independent of external sources.[12]
From: Taittiriya Upanishad
(1) The Pratyagatman is self-luminous and illumines all, taught in the shruti, and shines forth in the notion of ‘I’ even in our consciousness of practical life.[13] (2) Describing Brahman as self-illuminating or inherently luminous, not dependent on external sources of light or knowledge.[14] (3) Describes the nature of consciousness that does not require external validation or perception to exist; it is internally recognized.[15]
From: Vivekachudamani
(1) Describes the intrinsic light and awareness present in the Supreme Brahman, signifying its inherent nature of knowledge and existence.[16] (2) The quality of being radiant or shining from within, embodying one's innate blissful nature after overcoming ego.[17]
From: Brahma Sutras (Ramanuja)
(1) Describes the universal substance as having the distinguishing attribute of being self-illuminating.[18] (2) Describes the Self’s quality of illuminating or revealing itself without reliance on external means.[19]
From: Brahma Sutras (Shankara Bhashya)
(1) The quality of the soul to be its own light or source of awareness, independent of external stimuli.[20] (2) Referring to Brahman as self-evident and independent of external validation, standing beyond perceptions and attributes.[21]
From: Katha Upanishad with Shankara’s Commentary
(1) Describing the nature of the divine as inherently radiant and illuminating, self-existent.[22]
From: Kaivalya Upanishad
(1) The Absolute is the source of all knowledge and the support of creation itself, where the sun is a mere projection of Absolute knowledge.[23]
From: Brahma Sutras (Shankaracharya)
(1) Describes Brahman, the ultimate reality, indicating that it is the source of light and does not rely on any other light for existence.[24]
From: Kena upanishad (Madhva commentary)
(1) Describes Brahman’s nature as inherently radiant and illuminating, akin to the bright qualities of snow.[25]
From: Chandogya Upanishad (english Translation)
(1) Describes the nature of the enlightened person who reflects the eternal light of Brahman.[26]
From: Mandukya Upanishad (Gaudapa Karika and Shankara Bhashya)
(1) The inherent quality of Atman to shine with its own light, not requiring external means to be understood or realized.[27]
From: Chandogya Upanishad (Shankara Bhashya)
(1) Referring to the self, which is inherently aware and does not require external means to realize its essence.[28]
From: Brihadaranyaka Upanishad
(1) This term describes something that reveals itself, unlike objects like a jar, which need an external light source, with the lamp being used as an example.[29]
From: Mahabharata (English)
(1) A characteristic of the sun showing its ability to shine brightly and provide light.[30]
From: Yoga Vasistha [English], Volume 1-4
(1) The soul that is self-luminous and ever lasting, omnipresent and super-eminent, while the mind is deceptive and egoism, and it is situated in the heart with too much of its pride.[31]
From: Vakyapadiya of Bhartrihari
(1) Cognition is considered to have this property, although it is clarified that it needs to be illuminated by another cognition, countering the initial argument.[32] (2) The cognition of the sentence meaning is described as such, and it is an authority in itself.[33] (3) Describes an entity or concept that has its own light or clarity, implying that cognition has an inherent quality to illuminate itself without external aid.[34]
From: Brihad Bhagavatamrita (commentary)
(1) Describes Vasudeva as being inherently radiant and unlimited.[35] (2) the quality ascribed to prakriti that is contested by its inert and dull nature.[36]
From: Padarthadharmasamgraha and Nyayakandali
(1) Describes a quality of Fire that allows it to emit its own light, contrasting it with Gold's reliance on external illumination.[37] (2) The characteristic proposed for cognisedness that eliminates infinite regress, suggesting a self-evident nature to cognition.[38]
From: Manusmriti with the Commentary of Medhatithi
(1) The inherent ability of the Self to shine and reveal truth without dependence on external factors such as the sun or eyes.[39]
The concept of Self-luminous in local and regional sources
Self-luminous describes the quality of emitting light, exemplified by the Sun, which possesses this inherent property allowing it to shine without external light sources.
From: The Complete Works of Swami Vivekananda
(1) The Atman only is this and has to be realised by Itself.[40] (2) Self-luminous refers to that which is light itself, possessing an essence that cannot decay or die, unlike borrowed light; it is a characteristic of the soul, as opposed to the body or mind.[41]
From: Triveni Journal
(1) Referring to the quality of emitting light, used to describe the Sun's inherent property.[42]